Boyhood · written by Richard Linklater · 2014

Mason tells Sheena he wants to do what makes him feel alive instead of appearing normal; she shares the pressure people feel to meet others' judgments.

Scene 125 of 160 · ≈ 2 min on screen · Act three

Save the Cat: Theme Stated
Mason
Sheena

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 2:10 into a 3:02 film

The story so farBefore scene 125

As his mother’s homes and relationships change, Mason grows from a restless child into a young photographer learning to choose his own direction before leaving for college.

Scenes 1–11
Mason’s world is a child’s local orbit of school, siblings, play, and a family not yet displaced.
Scenes 12–23
The move exposes Mason’s wish to keep his friends and stay connected to his absent father while Olivia seeks a more secure life.
Scenes 24–74
Mason enters successive new family arrangements: Dad’s return, Olivia’s marriage to Bill, and finally escape from Bill’s house.
Scenes 75–123
He adapts to new homes and schools, tests independence with friends and work, and develops an eye for photography.
Just before
Scene 122
Olivia asks Samantha to finish listing household items for sale; Jim criticizes Mason's nail polish and equates responsibility with being cool.
Scene 123
At the football game, Nick tells Mason to stop shooting artistic details and photograph the action; he also arranges a ride to a party.
Scene 124
At a party, Mason drinks and talks with Sheena while Samantha socializes with a boy and Nick plays drums.
Scene 125
This scene

125EXT. QUIET SPOT - MOMENTS LATER

Mason and Sheena sit and talk.

MASON

I just feel like there are so many

things that I could be doing and

probably want to be doing that I'm

just not.

SHEENA

Why aren't you?

MASON

I mean, I guess it's... just being

afraid of what people would think.

You know, judgment.

SHEENA

Yeah. I guess it's really easy to

say, like, I don't care what anyone

else thinks, but, everyone does, you

know? Deep down.

MASON

Exactly. I find myself so furious

at all these people that I'm in

contact with just for controlling me

or whatever, but you know, they're

not even aware they're doing it.

SHEENA

Yeah. So... in this perfect world

where no one's controlling you, what's

different? What changes?

MASON

Everything. I mean, I just wanna be

able to do anything I want, because

it makes me feel alive. As opposed

to giving me the appearance of

normality.

SHEENA

Whatever that means.

MASON

I don't think it means much.

SHEENA

You're kinda weird, you know that?

MASON

Yeah?

(Laughing)

Is that a compliment?

SHEENA

I don't know. Do you wanna be weird?

MASON

I mean, I don't want to like... scare

kids at the park, or anything like

that.

Sheena laughs.

MASON (CONT'D)

I really like talking with you. I